Chapter 5 #2
Fuck! When did I allow myself to get so caught up with pussy that I’m considering driving off, despite being curious to know what news Felix has about my football future.
Except my angel’s not just pussy, she’s fucking perfection.
The way she makes me feel when I’m on my knees for her.
The way she sees me for me, and not the Beckford U football star.
I climb out of the car with a deep sigh, running a hand through my hair when I realise that Willow didn’t wait for me.
When I step into the warmth of the restaurant, the owner rushes forward to shake my hand, gushing on about our perfect season. I manage to excuse myself after a couple of minutes, and cross the floor to the table in the middle of the room, nodding to the diners who call out in greeting.
Of course, my father had to make sure we’re sitting where everyone can see us.
I grind my teeth as I slide into the chair next to Willow, with my father directly across from me. Felix sits at the head of the table between us, and I hope he’s ready to play referee in the arguments that are sure to arise. At least he’s distracting my father, giving me a moment to breathe.
When the waiter comes to take our orders, Gwendoline frowns across the table at Willow, who orders a pasta dish. “Do you really think you should have carbs at this time of night, darling?” she asks in a passive-aggressive tone. “Maybe a salad would be more appropriate.”
Willow flushes and lowers her face.
My jaw tightens. “If she wants the pasta, she can order the pasta.”
Her wide blue eyes flash to mine before she drops them to the table again. “The Mediterranean salad is fine,” she murmurs, and I loathe the look of satisfaction on her mother’s face.
“Bring an extra serve of the tortellini as well,” I tell the waiter, who nods at my request.
Once he disappears back to the kitchen, I clear my throat, eager to get this dinner over and done with as soon as possible.
“So, what’s the news that couldn’t wait?” I ask Felix.
If he feels any of the awkward tension currently stealing all the oxygen from my lungs from being forced to endure this public attempt of showboating on George Whitford’s behalf, he doesn’t show it.
“You’ve had a standout season this year. It hasn’t gone unnoticed,” he says with a grin.
I simply nod in acknowledgement and spread my palms indicating for him to continue and ignore Dad narrowing his eyes at my indifference.
It’s always been a dream to play at the highest level, but all of a sudden, I’m feeling like even making an A-league team won’t get me out from underneath George Whitford.
He’ll always be in the background riding on my coattails.
Felix’s grin only widens as he continues. “We’ve obviously had quite a lot of interest from the A-league, but yesterday, my office received a phone call I knew would come one day.”
I try to summon up the right level of enthusiasm to match his, but all I can manage is a slight curl of my mouth. “Oh, yeah?”
“Middlesbrough.” He sits back and rests his hands behind his head, his grin now a full-blown smirk.
My father chokes on his scotch. “M-Middlesbrough,” he coughs. “As in the Championship league?”
Felix nods slowly, his eyes never leaving my face.
I’m vaguely aware of Gwendoline’s annoying voice asking George what this means, but mostly I’m focussed on the thud of my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
Middlesbrough. The English Football Championship League.
One step below the English Premier League.
Football in the UK. The ultimate dream. Approximately sixteen thousand kilometres from Beckford and from George Whitford.
An electric shock jolts me out of my stupor and I look down at my hand to see it covered by Willow’s slender fingers. My mouth goes dry as I drag my gaze to hers. Her lips are moving, but I can’t focus on what she’s saying.
“W-what?” is all I manage. I shake my head to clear it. Is this really happening?
“Are you okay?” she murmurs, her cheeks flushing a delicious rosy colour.
My tongue darts out to wet my lips and her eyes track the movement which causes the blush to spread to her chest. She squeezes my hand, sending a flood of calm shooting through my arm to the centre of my body.
I take a deep breath and turn back to Felix. “Are you serious?”
His laugh is deep and booming as he leans forward and claps me on the shoulder. “Congratulations, mate. I knew you could do it.”
I slump back in my chair. All the hard work and sacrifices are finally paying off, but all I can think about is leaving my angel. “Does Coach Rourke know? When do they want me?”
“Your coach knows,” Felix says with a nod.
“I spoke to him this week. They want you over there next week, so tonight was your last game for Beckford U. Their left wing tore his Achilles, and his replacement just isn’t up to scratch.
You’ll begin with the academy team, but they have every intention of playing you when you’re ready.
With the season starting next week, they’re keen to get you training with them as soon as possible. ”
“But school—”
“You only have a couple of months left,” George interrupts. “I’m sure we can arrange for you to submit everything online.”
“Exams—”
He narrows his eyes. “I’ll handle it. Focus on your game, son.”
Son. It takes everything in me to keep a straight face. I haven’t been his son for years. I’ve been his protégé.
“This is insane,” I mumble, my voice barely more than a whisper.
Next week.
Life as I know it is about to change.
Panic starts to set in. What if I get over there and choke? Middlesbrough isn’t a nobody team. It wasn’t long ago they were a part of the English Premier League. What if I’m not good enough?
“Ocean.” I pinch myself as I mutter the safe word.
I need to stop thinking like that. They’ve seen me play, and something impressed them. I’ll work my arse off to show them I deserve this opportunity.
The waiter arrives, placing my steak in front of me, and I’m grateful for the distraction.
It’s only when I move to pick up my cutlery that I realise Willow has tensed beside me.
When I look over at her, she’s sitting straight in her chair, her face pale.
A quick glance around the table tells me no one else has noticed.
I lean over and whisper, “Are you okay?” She flinches, and my brow lifts. “Seriously, Willow? I thought you’d be happy to see the back of me, considering my existence in your life has apparently caused you nothing but misery.”